Divisible box



June 19, 1962 I M. s. KOZLIK 3,039,667

DIVISIBLE BOX Filed Sept. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG 1 m mmvmn Mzlan 6' Kof/zk "yaw i W June 19, 1962 M. s. KOZLIK 3,039,667

DIVISIBLE BOX Filed Sept. 14, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

Milan 6'. l o lik 3/14 fW United States Patent 3,039,667 DIVISIBLE BOX Milan S. Kozlik, 2005 W. 19th St., Chicago, Ill. Filed Sept. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 839,612 4 Claims. (Cl. 22915) This invention relates to a box and more particularly to a box capable of being cut into separate segments of any size, where each separated segment is a sealed container.

Divisible boxes are packages which can be subdivided into segments or compartments where each subdivided segment is a sealed container. They are used when a customer wishes to purchase only a portion of the contents of the box because after the box is subdivided, the customer can carry away the subdivided segment without any further packaging. Since no further packaging is necessary after the box is subdivided, labor costs will be sharply reduced resulting in a greater economy of operation.

The divisible boxes previously in use had a number of limiting characteristics. For one thing, they were inflexible because the boxes could only be divided into segments or compartments of equal size or into a number (usually two) of segments of the same size secured together. In other words, the box could be divided into four quarters or two halves, or into two separated quarters with the remaining two quarters consisting of separate compartments secured together. More specifically, the prior divisible boxes could not be divided into two quarter size compartments and one single half size compartment. In a more extreme illustration, the prior divisible boxes could not be divided into segments where, for example, one segment was the size of the initial box, another segment the size of the initial box, and the remaining segment the siZe of the original box. Yet occasions do arise where it would be desirable for a box to be divisible into segments or compartments having different sizes or into segments which are not exact multiples of the size of the smallest segment.

Another consequence of this lack of flexibility was that when circumstances required a company to package different kinds or sizes of merchandise in divisible boxes, the company had to order a separately designed divisible box for each category of merchandise. This was objectionable because it increased the cost of packaging and caused problems and expense in inventory control and storage.

Another related problem caused by the prior divisible boxes is that during the course of business it is occasion- I ally necessary to change the size or shape of the merchandise being packaged. Heretofore if the size of the merchandise in each compartment was increased to where it was greater than the compartment size, the entire supply of divisible boxes had to be discarded and new ones ordered. This could result in a considerable business loss.

It is clear that a universal divisible box which can hold widely different kinds and sizes of merchandise and which can be divided into any desired number of scaled compartments where each sealed compartment is any desired fraction of the size of the original box, would be very useful.

Specifically, such a universal divisible box would be particularly well suited for the liquor industry because the same divisible box could be selectively divided into, for example, 12 sealed compartments where each compartments holds a bottle of one size, or the same box could be divided into 8 divisible sealed compartments where each compartment holds a bottle of a somewhat larger size, etc. It is apparent that such a universal 3,039,667 Patented June 19, 1962 divisible box would supply a flexibility and economy in the business which would be very helpful.

Another problem associated with boxes in general and with the separated compartments of divisible boxes in particular, is that after separation the compartments are often placed on the ground or on the floor of a store room. When the compartment is filled with a perishable merchandise or merchandise which is affected by contaminating agents or moisture, damage could result. It is clear that it would be desirable if divisible boxes were made so that the separated segments had integrally formed legs which could keep the base of the segment 01f the ground or above the floor.

Among other things therefore, one object of this invention is to provide a divisible box which has all the above described advantageous features.

This and other objects of this invention will become more apparent when read in the light of the accompanying drawing and specification wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a divisible box con structed according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the divisible box after it was cut into three sealed segments where two segments are A the size of the original box and the remaining segment is A; the size of the original box;

FIG. 3 is a plan sectional view of one embodiment of the divisible box showing a particular kind of insert mounted therein;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one of the separated sealed segments of the divisible box showing the protruding leg-like portions which keep the base of the segment off the ground;

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a divisible box showing the open box with the insert about to be placed therein;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of One kind of divider wall used in the construction of the insert shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a universal divider wall which permits the same box and the same insert to be assembled in different ways so that the box can be subdivided into any number of segments;

FIG. 8 discloses a perspective view of a part of a double wall used in the insert shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a part of another embodiment of a double wall;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of an insert constructed with a double wall a part of which is shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a view of an insert in a partially folded condition.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a divisible box indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 comprises an external standard rectangular box 12 and an insert 14, see FIG. 5. In the embodiment shown in these figures, the insert comprises three double walls 16 and two divider walls 18, but as will become apparent below, the practice of this invention contemplates inserts having any desired number of double walls and divider walls.

Each double wall comprises two spaced parallel sheets or surfaces 20, see FIG. 8. As seen, one slot 22 for each divider wall 18 extends inward from the upper edge 24 of each surface 20, substantially half Way therethrough. In addition, transverse mounting flanges 26 are for-med on the sides of each sheet or surface of the double wall. As best seen in FIG. 3, the width of each double wall exclusive of the flanges, is equal to the separation between the inner surfaces 28 of the side walls 30 of box 12 so that when the insert 14 is placed inside the box the transverse mounting flanges 26 will overlie and engage the inner surfaces 28 of the box.

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The transverse mounting flanges 26 are connected to any portion of the inner surfaces 28 of the sides 30 of the box by'any conventional means such as gluing or stapling. This locks the insert inside the box and divides the box into divisible segments or compartments each of which form a sealed enclosure when the box is divided.

Each divider wall 18 comprises a sheet or surface which in this particular embodiment is provided with transverse mounting flanges 32, see FIG. 6. This is the preferred structure, but under some circumstances the mounting flanges may be omitted. As best seen in FIG. 6, a double slot 34 for each double wall 18 extends inward from the lower edge 36 of each divider wall, substantially half way therethrough. Since the insert shown in FIG. is provided with three double walls, the divider wall 18 must have at least three double slots 34. As seen in FIG. 5, the slots 22 in each sheet 20 double wall 16 are in interlocking engagement with the double slots 34 in each divider wall so that as seen in FIGS. 5 and 11, the elements comprising the insert are foldably connected together. This feature is important because the inserts can be shipped in a flattened folded condition, and when they are ready for use they merely have tobe unfolded and inserted as a unit in the standard box 12. As is apparent from an inspection of the drawing, the separation of the double slots 34 controls the size of the separable segments or compartments in box 12. In addition, the separation between surfaces 20 of the double walls 16 iscontrolled by the separation of each slot of the double slot 34. This separation may be useful as will become apparent below.

Additionally, in the embodiment shown, the width of each divider wall 18, exclusive of the transverse mounting flanges 32 is equal to the separation between the inher surfaces 36 of the end Walls 38 of the box 12, see FIG. 3. In this way, when the insert 14 is placed inside the box, the transverse mounting flanges 32 will overlie and engage the inner surfaces 36 of the end walls of the box for attachment thereto by gluing or stapling or other conventional means.

When the insert 14, shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is inserted and sealed inside the standard box 12 it is apparent that if the box is cut between the surfaces or sheets 20 comprising the double walls, the box will be divided into four equal sealed segments where each segment has three compartments. Alternatively, by omitting the double wall 16 which is nearest the box end 38, the box can be cut into three sealed segments where each segment has three compartments, see FIG. 2. It is apparent, however, that the compartments in the largest of these three segments will be twice the size of the compartments in the remaining segment. With this arrangement the box can be packed with merchandise of different size.

As seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, a modified double wall 41 formed from sheets or surfaces 42 may be provided. In this modification, a pair of closely adjacent parallel slots 4-4 are centrally disposed on the sheet. If the modified double wall is combined with the divider walls 18, shown in FIG. 6, the resulting insert 46 will permit the standard box 12 to be cut into 8 identical sealed segments of one compartment each, because the divider walls in this embodiment also function as a double wall.

In the examples shown, the double slots 34 in the divider wall happen to be in uniformly spaced relation to each other. This is by no means a necessary condition and it is apparent that the control of the spacing between double slots 34 provides a means for adjusting the size of the compartments so that the size of the compartments may be any desired fraction of the size of the original box.

With the above described arrangement, it is possible to change the size of the compartments in the divisible box by the simple expedient of cutting additional slots in the existing divider walls or by replacing them entirely. Even if the divider Walls or the double walls have to be replaced, it is clear that the standard box 12 may still be used. This is an important economic advantage because it decreases loss when the merchandise shipped in the box is changed.

It should also be noted that another important advantage of this structure is that if it becomes necessary to order larger boxes, and if the newly ordered box has either the same width or the same length as the original box, elements of the original inserts can still be used. For example, if the new boxes have the same width as the old boxes but are merely longer, the original double walls can still be used and it is only necessary to order longer divider walls.

In situations where the merchandise and the size of the compartments must be changed at frequent intervals it may be desirable to provide a universal divider wall 48 which has a plurality of closely adjacent uniformly spaced double slots 50, see FIG. 7. With this arrangement, the spacing between the double walls and hence the size of the compartments may be conveniently varied without the necessity of cutting additional slots in ex isting divider walls or ordering and maintaining a supply of divider walls having variously positioned double slots.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the universal divider 48 has a scale 52. This scale consists of uniformly spaced lines 53 which extend from between the double slots 50. Each line is provided with identifying indicia which in this embodiment are numbers. Correspondingly marked and positioned cut lines 54 may be formed on the external surface of box 12, see FIG. 1. The function of scale 52 and the cut lines 54 is to indicate the location of the cut lines of the box which correspond to the particular position of the double walls of the insert inside the box, without opening the box.

The scale and cut lines are used this Way. When the insert 14 is constructed, note is taken of the numbers of the lines which extend between the slots of the double walls which are interlocked with adjacent slots 59 in divider wall 48. For example, if divider wall 48 is used to form the insert and it is noted that one pair of double walls are interlocked with adjacent slots 50 between which the line 53 identified by the number 5 extends, and if another pair of double walls are interlocked with adjacent slots 50 between which the line 53 identified by the number It extends, and if still another pair of double walls is interlocked with adjacent slots 50 between which a line 53 identified by the number 15 extends, then the box may only be cut on the cut lines identified as 5, 10 and 15. These particular cut lines are identified by marks such as arrows 57, see FIG. 1, which are drawn on the outer surface of the box by the person placing the insert in the box, so that when the time comes to divide the box, the divider will know which of the many cut lines he is to follow in dividing the box.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the separation between the double walls is such that after the box is cut between the double walls the sheet or surface 20 attached to one of the separated segments or components 40 will be below the plane defined by the periphery 58 of the cut cross section of the box 12 and the edge of the divider wall. This arrangement is very useful because the projecting portions of the periphery of the box and the divider Walls may function as legs so that if surface 20 is used as the base of the segment 46 and the segment is stored on the ground or on the floor of a store room, the material in the compartments will be held off the ground or the floor. This will protect the material inside the compartment from contamination or damage due to moisture. It is further evident that the length of the legs may be conveniently controlled by adjusting the spacing between the double walls and this in turn is controlled by the spacing between the slots forming the double slots in the divider walls.

It is noted that the attachment of the divider walls and the double walls to the inner surfaces of the box strengthens the box so it can be stacked one on top of the other for shipment and storage. In addition, the segments 40 will be strengthened and the consequent reinforcement of their periphery 58 permit heavily loaded separated segments to be stacked without damage.

The invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof as set forth in the claims, and the present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive and it is intended to include all changes which come within the scope and range of the claims.

I claim:

1. A container adapted to be subdivided into sealed compartments having any desired size relationship to each other comprising a box and an insert therefor, said insert comprising a plurality of double walls and at least one divider wall, each double wall comprising spaced parallel surfaces with at least one slot extending inward from an edge of each surface part way therethrough, each divider wall provided with a plurality of closely spaced slots in substantial excess of the number of double walls, each of said slots extending inward from an edge of the divider wall part way therethrough, the slots in each double wall interlocked with selected slots in each divider wall whereby the spacing between the adjacent double walls and the size of the compartments may be adjusted as desired so that the size of the compartment can have any desired size relationship with respect to each other, and so the insert is foldabrle for compactness in shipping and can be unfolded and inserted as a unit into the box, transverse mounting flanges formed on opposite edges of at least some double walls, the width of each double wall exclusive of the flanges substantially equal to the separation between the inner surfaces of the side walls of the box so that the transverse mounting flange will overlie the inner surfaces of the side walls of the box, means connecting said transverse mounting flanges to the inner surfaces of the box whereby the interior of the box will be divided into a plurality of compartments, and if the box is cut between the double walls, each compartment will function as a sealed container.

2. The container described in claim 1 wherein said insert includes transverse mounting flanges formed on the sides of each divider wall, the width of each divider wall exclusive of the mounting flanges equal to the separation between the inner surfaces of the end walls of the box so that when the insert is placed inside the box the transverse mounting flanges on the divider wall will overlie the inner surfaces of the end walls of the box, means con- 6 necting said transverse mounting flanges on the divider wall to the inner surfaces of the end walls both for helping to lock said insert inside the box and to provide added strength for the compartments in the box.

3. The container described in claim 1 wherein said at least one divider wall is provided with indicia associated with each slot therein, correspondingly marked out lines formed on the external surfaces of the box, said cut lines positioned so that by recording on the sides of the box the indicia associated with the slots in the divider wall which are in interlocking engagement with the slots in the parallel surfaces of the double walls, the cut lines positioned between the double walls of the insert may be identified without opening the box, so the box can be cut into separate sealed compartments.

4. An insert for a divisible box comprising a plurality of double walls and at least one divider wall, each double wall comprising spaced parallel surfaces with at least one slot extending inward from an edge of each surface part way therethrough, each divider wall provided with a plurality of closely spaced slots in substantial excess of the number of double walls, each of said slots extending inward from an edge of the divider wall part way therethrough, the slots in each double wall interlocked with selected slots in each divider wall whereby the spacing between the adjacent double walls may be adjusted as desired so that when the insert is placed into a box, the size of the compartments formed by the insert can have any desired size relationship to each other, and so the insert is foldable for compactness in shipping and can be unfolded and inserted as a unit into the box, transverse mounting flanges formed on opposed ends of each double wall, said flanges adapted to be connected to the inner surfaces of the side Walls of the box into which the insert is to be placed whereby the interior of the box will be divided into a plurality of compartments and if the box is cut between the double walls each compartment will function as a sealed container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,120,752 Smiley Dec. 15, 1914 1,144,835 Gibson June 29, 1915 1,324,708 White Dec. 9, 1919 2,098,090 Ford Nov. 2, 1937 2,297,982 Potts Oct. 6, 1942 2,340,369 Downer Feb. 1, 1944 2,582,655 Schenk Jan. 15, 1952 2,718,326 Le Blane Sept. 20, 1955 

